Edmonds School District seeks input on culminating project’s future

The Edmonds School District is seeking input from students and families in the district about whether or not to continue with the culminating project now that it is no longer a state requirement.

Starting in 2015, Washington seniors will not be required to complete a culminating project under a new law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee earlier this spring.

Patrick Murphy, the Edmonds School District Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, said in a press release, he’d plan an early May District survey of parents, students and teachers to gauge interest in maintaining the requirement for graduation, modifying it or doing away with it. The school board will likely discuss the results of the survey in May or June.

“I personally like the project and am impressed by the number of students who told me after the fact it was one of the most valuable things they did in high school,” Board Director Gary Noble said. He added that he hopes Edmonds School District wouldn’t be the only district in the area to do away with the requirement, but doesn’t want it to be “a penalty on students for doing something they don’t have to do.”

Another argument for eliminating the requirement is that the new law also calls for districts to increase the number credits required to get a diploma to 24, beginning with the class of 2019.

Do you have news about a school, student or organization to share? Contact the Beacon by emailing edmondseditor@yourbeacon.net or call (425) 347-1711.